Home of the Year 2007: Best New Home      Coastal Craftsman embraces contemporary lifestlye.

February 2007 issue of San Diego Home/Garden Lifestlyes                   Photography by Larny J. Mack

The La Jolla clients, a family of three, wanted a new home that was comfortable, reflected their personal style, and incorporated subtle touches of maritime and coastal motifs. They wanted a light-filled, airy house oriented to the ocean views. And they wanted outdoor spaces for their active outdoor lifestyle that still maintained a level of privacy.

Architect Ione R. Stiegler [and Project Manager Brandy Wallace], whose specialty is custom residential design and historic preservation and restoration, did not flinch at her clients' wish list. She designed a two-story coastal Craftsman with 4,429 square feet and a rich palette of natural materials. Roof and exterior walls are stained wood shingles accented by white-trimmed doors and windows, gray cobblestone walls and brick porches, sidewalks and driveway.

Up front, sheltering the entry, is a large covered patio/porch with brick floor, low cobblestone walls, and a vaulted roof supported by tapering squarish columns.

The mahogany front door opens to a two-level foyer with built-in seating bracketed by the living room at one end and a switchback white-painted open staircase at the other. Kitchen, family room, and dining room were placed in the rear of the house for privacy and to encourage the indoor/outdoor flow. Throughout the first level, spaces are defined by columns perched on half walls, which keep the room-to-room transitions as open as possible.

The second floor holds two bedrooms, a full bath, laundry room, balcony hall, and a master suite with vaulted bedroom, marble bathroom, walk-in closet, and an office/exercise room.

Stiegler placed the house toward the front of the 9,100 square foot lot to allow a sizable backyard, which is given over to a rear trellised porch with lounging chairs, casual dining table, a fireplace, and the swimming pool with a whirlpool spa. French doors and windows with transoms admit natural light and breezes into the interior spaces.

Juror's Comments

"Architectural awards so often go to the innovative and cutting-edge designs, awarding design that apply new rules. San Diego has an architectural history (short though it may be) and the bungalow style plays a dominant role. I admire the way Ione kept to that historic style, without much reinterpreting. She has created an example full of traditional details without diluting the character. It is interesting that she mimicked the interior scale of an old home. The tendency today is to create much taller ceilings. This sometimes gives a feeling meant to impress and intimidate. The relatively low ceiling of the main rooms gives a sense of intimacy and a certain charm.

Additional photos of this home can be viewed here.

Project Manager: Brandy Dewhurst